Chapter 55: Anger
1013 Words
Ryan Ding stood dazed for a moment before quickly getting out to check the damage to his beloved car. Maggie remained frozen in the passenger seat, carefully glancing up. As expected, she caught Emily Luo's gaze from afar, and Dr. Luo's stern expression sent a shiver down Maggie's spine.
Jasmine, noticing the commotion, approached, clearly unsure if it was Maggie she saw. Maggie, unable to hide in the car any longer, got out hurriedly, awkwardly holding the half-eaten squid, its oil staining her hands.
"Maggie?" Jasmine confirmed.
"Oh, President Gao. What a coincidence to run into you here…" Maggie, feeling guilty under Dr. Luo’s piercing gaze, struggled to maintain composure.
“Is the Chairman’s birthday banquet being held here today? Are you here for the party?” Jasmine asked, puzzled.
“No, no,” Maggie stammered, “I came to attend a wedding of a friend of a friend.”
“Oh… I see.” Jasmine's confusion lingered, “Then what’s with…?”
“Well, we’re about to leave. I’m not familiar with the area, and… heh…” Maggie’s discomfort was palpable. Management personnel were starting to arrive, and Maggie could almost hear their gossip.
“Call the insurance company, it’s late,” Jasmine said, showing concern for her subordinate.
“Yes, my friend is already on the phone,” Maggie forced a smile, feeling her face stiffening. Jasmine, seeming to remember something, said,
“Oh, Emily’s here. Do you want to go over and see her?” She glanced back at the hotel entrance with a hint of goodwill.
“No… that’s not necessary…” Maggie, on the brink of tears, was relieved when Ryan Ding, having finished his call, came over from the rear of the car.
“The insurance company said just to take some photos and settle the claim tomorrow. We can leave now.”
Ryan Ding, though somewhat stylish, had strikingly unconventional blond hair, especially awkward next to someone as poised as Jasmine. If colleagues mistook him for Maggie’s boyfriend, she’d become the center of office gossip.
Maggie introduced quickly, “President Gao, this is my friend. Please wish the Chairman a long life. If there’s nothing else, we’ll be leaving.”
“Oh… alright…” Jasmine said, her expression one of surprise.
Maggie jumped into the car, avoiding Emily Luo's gaze, and, with Ryan Ding, quickly fled the scene under everyone’s watchful eyes. Ryan Ding, sensing the situation, drove slowly, occasionally glancing at Maggie.
“What will be the consequences?” Ryan Ding asked, genuinely concerned for Maggie.
Maggie glanced at him, “We’ll only know once she decides.”
“So what now?”
Maggie, with a sense of resolve, replied, “Take me to her place.”
Ryan Ding was puzzled, “To confront her?”
“Anger will dissipate with time; if kept inside, the consequences could be severe.”
Maggie seemed determined, nodding as she spoke. Ryan Ding, not fully understanding, asked,
“Do you need me to come with you?”
“No.”
“Do you need to keep your coat?”
“Looking pitiful might garner sympathy.”
“Good luck.”
“Pack an egg pancake from your shop and hang it on my door.”
“…”
When Dr. Luo arrived home, it was quite late. From a distance, she saw Maggie waiting by the gate, holding a bag. As Emily Luo stopped the car and saw Maggie, she felt uncomfortable despite the position change. The day's events, though unintended, seemed problematic from Emily Luo’s perspective.
Dr. Luo quickly got out of the car, looking at Maggie with a neutral expression, “What are you doing here?”
“I came to apologize,” Maggie said sincerely.
Emily Luo paused, her tone light, “Apologize for what?”
“Hmm…” Maggie struggled to pinpoint the exact source of Dr. Luo’s anger, realizing this wasn’t easy. Emily Luo wasn’t one to dwell on issues.
“Okay, then explain why you were at that place today?”
“Uh—Ryan Ding’s friend’s wedding. I went with him.”
“I didn’t see any wedding at Jun Tai today.”
“Oh, it was at the hotel next door…”
“Then why were you at a place you weren’t supposed to be?”
Dr. Luo’s calm demeanor revealed her displeasure.
“I’ve told you where I went, what I did, and who I was with. I thought that was enough.”
“No, that’s not it. I just wanted to see…”
“See what? Were you worried about something?”
“No.”
Maggie lowered her head, feeling defeated, and decided it might be best to stop resisting.
Emily Luo, also feeling a mix of frustration and helplessness, remained silent.
The night air was cool, offering some clarity. Dr. Luo sighed after a moment of silence, “It’s late. We’ll talk another time.”
Maggie’s brow furrowed deeply, but it was not the right time to continue the discussion. She needed time to process Dr. Luo’s words, “Alright, I’ll head back. Good night.”
Maggie said nothing more, walking to the main road where she hailed a taxi and looked back at Emily Luo before leaving.
Dr. Luo stood there, staring blankly for a while before hitting her car with frustration.
Despite her worries, Maggie felt somewhat at ease as she lay in bed. Everyone has their thoughts and feelings, and while Dr. Luo’s expression of them might have been awkward, it was a good sign.
The next morning, Maggie noticed significant improvement in her allergic reaction. She felt less discomfort. She planned to thank Dexter for the effective medication.
With this in mind, Maggie got up, fed her dog, and went about her day, cleaning, watering plants, and tidying up.
After a refreshing nap and sunlight-dried clothes, Maggie brewed some tea and read a book with her dog.
When the sun was less harsh, Maggie showered, changed, and took her dog to Ryan Ding’s place. Then, she drove straight to the First People's Hospital.
- Writer
